| Measure | Reason | Reference |
| Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand-rub especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. | Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand-rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. | |
| Maintain at least 1 - 2 metre distance between yourself and others (Avoid close contact with others). | When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person has the disease. | |
| Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings. | Where people come together in crowds, you are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COVID-19 and it is more difficult to maintain physical distance of 1 - 2 meters | |
| Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. | Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you. | |
| Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands with soap and water or hand-sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol immediately. | Droplets spread the virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19. | |
| Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others. | Avoiding contact with others will protect them from possible COVID-19 and other viruses. | |
| If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority. | National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections. | |
| Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. | Droplets of an infected person excreted from coughs, sneezes or through talking can land into these frequently touched surfaces. People can become infected by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. | |